It can be a very big balancing act as our kids get older to figure out the best way to manage their activities and their homework. Here are a few things to consider as you make the best choices for your family!
This blog is sponsored by Shoreline Christian School
Consider Your Child First – As you are figuring out the different extracurricular activities your child could possibly enroll in, the list will be endless. From sports to the arts to activities at church, there are so many options. First, you need to know how your child handles a hectic schedule. I have one that handles it fairly well and one that needs to be home with downtime as much as possible. You must pay attention to your child. Don’t force yourself to sign up for things just because other parents are doing it. Consider your child first.
Find Your Child’s Passions & Not Yours – We often want to put our kids in the same activities that made us thrive when we were younger. This may be a good thing for your child and it may not. Take the time to get to know what makes your child tick so that you can funnel his unique skills and desires.
Stop the Mom Guilt – You are working to find the right fit for your family. There is no need for guilt. If you are a family that thrives on super busy, that’s great. If you are a family that can’t handle additional activities, that is totally fine. Do not fall into the trap of guilt after your make a choice.
Stay Organized – Now that you have chosen which activities you want to enroll your child in, you have to stay organized. Create an organization center at your house so you can easily know what is happening each day. You can also use a shared family calendar in your phone. You’ll want to think ahead about snacks kids need for the day, dinner if you’ll be getting home late, supplies your child needs to have at school with them, in the car ready to go or at home ready to be picked up. If you set up everything the night before, it will make mornings a breeze. Make sure the whole family knows the plan so they aren’t surprised or lagging in the morning. You are all working toward the common goal of keeping your sanity in tact.
Fuel Up With Proper Nutrition – It can be incredibly difficult to make it through a busy day if you are not being fueled appropriately. Stay hydrated. Make sure your child has a water bottle with them throughout the day. Find to-go snacks that they can easily keep with them to give them a protein boost. Make sure you have your meal plan ready to go for the week ahead so you are getting good food in your bodies and skipping the fast food. It will make a difference in energy levels for everyone.
Transparency About Homework – After mapping out your day, make sure your child knows when you expect them to get their homework done. This may be right after school before their activities start, in between activities or when they get home. Depending on the age of your child and the activities they are in, this will change. If you map it out ahead of time, your child will be able to better organize their week, get the work done, and still participate in activities.
Extra-curricular activities are a great way to grow skills in teamwork, community, and develop leadership abilities. We all know that colleges want to see this on applications as well. It can be a balancing act figuring it out, but if you take the time to organize you will find it much easier to succeed. Don’t be afraid to cut back on activities if you find your child is struggling in school. You know your child best!
At Shoreline Christian School your child is celebrated as an image bearer of God with unique talents and abilities. If you are looking for a place where your child can thrive with their skills and gifts given only to them, you can find out more about Shoreline Christian School at shorelinechristian.org. Small class sizes and differentiated instruction allow Shoreline Christian School to work with each student where they are and meet their educational needs while helping them explore their God given gifts, talents, and abilities. We believe that what we teach should not only help you grow in what you know—it should also help you grow in who you are. Wherever you are in investigating Shoreline Christian School, we’d love to talk with you and help in any way we can!
